News Briefs From Across The State
By Monica Land
Driver of the truck not injured
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is investigating a Sunday morning fatal crash in Pontotoc County on State Route 346 involving a man on a horse.
Troopers responded to the scene in the Ecru community at approximately 9:15 a.m.
Upon arriving, it appeared Johnny Merritt, 63, of Ecru, was riding a horse along State Route 346, when the horse apparently jumped in front of an eastbound, 2007 Mack, Semi-Tractor/Trailer, operated by Donny CWarren, Jr, 41, of Henning, TN.
Merrit was pronounced dead on the scene. Warren was not injured in the crash.
Sentencing slated for 2 in scheme
A federal judge will sentence two men on Sept. 24 for their roles in an alleged multi-million dollar medical fraud scheme. The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports that sentencing is scheduled for Tupelo businessman Ray Shoemaker and Dr. Robert Corkern, a Batesville physician.
Corkern pleaded guilty to bribing a former Panola County administrator to use public funds as part of his earnest money to buy the hospital.
Shoemaker was convicted in March but two counts recently were overturned and he was granted a new trial on another charge. He faces sentencing on seven other counts.
The government says the case involved an alleged conspiracy to boost Lee Garner’s nurse staffing business and pay Shoemaker for his assistance as a key executive at Tri-Lakes Medical Center in Batesville.
18-wheeler rear ends tractor; kills driver
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is investigating an accident that left a 62-year-old Monroe County man dead after he was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler. Trooper Criss Turnipseed said Daniel Clardy died at North Mississippi Medical center on Aug. 20 after an incident on Highway 45.
Clardy was driving his tractor earlier that morning when he was reportedly hit by 38-year-old Donald Barham of Hamilton.
Barham was also injured and transported by ambulance to North Mississippi.
Turnipseed said the accident remains under investigation.
Carroll County gets $141k grant for water and waste disposal
Congressman Bennie Thompson said the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development has awarded an $81,000 Water and Waste Disposal Loan and a $60, 000 Grant to McCarley Water Association, Inc. in Carroll County.
The Rural Development funds will be used for the replacement of three stream crossings to prevent lines from failing due to washouts; painting of the ground storage tank and the pressure tank at the booster station. The replacement of the crossings will include 1,100 linear feet of a directional bore of 6 inch pipes with gates, valves and connection to the existing piping. The existing 225 customers will greatly benefit from the proposed improvements.
Houston man sentenced for failing to pay child support
A Chickasaw County man has been sentenced to five years in prison, all five suspended, for failing to support his child. Earl Elliot, 46, of Houston pleaded guilty to felony non-support of a child in circuit court and was sentenced by Judge John Gregory.
Gregory sentenced Elliot to five years, suspended non-adjudication. In addition, Elliot has to pay an additional $150 a month on top of his regular child support obligation until his arrearage amount of $17,000 is paid in full. He has paid over $3,000 toward his child support arrearage amount since indictment.
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